WITH last season's conqueror out of the equation, connections of Hezrockinroyalty are hoping to go one better this time around

One of South Australia’s top open class performers, Hezrockinroyalty finished second behind Victorian raider Sir Jimmy in the 2025 Veterinary Surgeons Cup.

With Sir Jimmy competing in Melton tomorrow night, trainer Alan Cronin hopes it paves way for Hezrockinroyalty to claim the Cup at Globe Derby.

“It would be nice if it works out that way,” Cronin said. “But we know it’s not that simple!

“The race still has all the top local pacers in it and shapes like one of those races you could run several times and get a different result on each occasion.”

An eye-catching fourth when returning from a spell last week, Hezrockinroyalty has drawn to settle in a prominent position from barrier four.

To be driven by Michael Smith, the son of Rock N Roll Heaven has derived plenty of benefit from his first-up start according to Cronin.

“He usually takes a couple of runs to get him wound up, but I am surprised by how forward he is,” Cronin said. “He just wasn’t right last time in, and I couldn’t figure it out, so I gave him a spell and it worked wonders.

“He’s had a lot of work put into him in the build up and I’m much happier with him this time.”